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The jury’s still out when it comes to fruits and berries that should be part of crested gecko’s diet. Since several fruits could be toxic to animals, who can blame cautious pet owners? That’s why it’s important to ask – can crested geckos eat strawberries? – before feeding them any.
Strawberries are a delectable treat to humans, and several animals love these berries too. If you currently have a stash of strawberries around the house, would you offer it to your pet reptile?
Crested geckos can eat strawberries, but these berries should be offered solely as treats. Strawberries have a moderate calcium-phosphorus rating and reptiles love these berries. However, if you offer too much strawberry to your crested gecko, it may become addicted to it. Addiction to strawberries will make your gecko reject other foods and could lead to adverse health issues.
Now that it’s clear your geckos can eat strawberries; you need comprehensive info on how to feed them to your reptile. That’s why this post looks at what strawberries offer, and how you can maximize their benefits!
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Do Crested Geckos Eat Strawberries in Their Natural Habitat?
Wild crested geckos may never taste strawberries throughout their lifetime. However, some of these reptiles may eat strawberries based on their location. Generally, a wild crested gecko’s diet contains about 19% of fruits and nectars, so they may enjoy wild strawberries too, if they’re available in their respective locations.
Should You Feed Crested Geckos Strawberries With or Without the Seeds?
Your crested geckos will mostly enjoy strawberries in pureed form, but there are other ways to feed berries to reptiles.
Another way to feed your crested geckos strawberries is in chopped form. Chopped strawberries should be no bigger than the space between your gecko’s eyes to avoid choking.
You can also offer frozen strawberries to your geckos in the hot months. Some owners can offer their geckos a fruit and berry mix too with strawberries as the highlight.
When it comes to feeding geckos strawberry with or without seeds, these reptiles can eat both.
Why Should Crested Geckos Eat Strawberries?
Negligible calcium – phosphorus content
Many fruits have disproportionate calcium – phosphorus content, making them unsuitable for crested geckos. But even if strawberries don’t possess the perfect 2:1 calcium-phosphorus ratio, it’s still a preferred choice. Feeding strawberries to your crested geckos as treats will have little to no effect on their overall health.
Low sourness
Even if some strawberry varieties offer a slightly-sour taste, most crested geckos can still enjoy them. The low sourness of strawberries make it a top treat for crested geckos.
What to Consider Before Feeding Fruits and Berries to Crested Geckos
Acceptance
Just like humans, crested geckos tend to prefer some fruits over others. However, a few crested geckos may not fancy eating any fruits at all. If your geckos refuse to eat fruits and berries but maintain a robust appetite, you have nothing to worry about.
Consult your vet if the refusal continues, or opt to provide your geckos alternative treats instead.
Calcium – phosphorus ratio
The calcium – phosphorus ratio of fruits and berries ideal for your crested geckos should be 2:1. But not all fruits and berries offer a 2:1 calcium-phosphorus ratio. Even if many fruits don’t have the perfect calcium- phosphorus ratio, not all of them are 100% bad for geckos. Your crested gecko can enjoy fruits and berries with a close ratio as treats every fortnight or once a month.
Oxalic acid
Too much oxalic acid in crested geckos’ meals could affect your reptiles health over time. It is important to avoid feeding your crested geckos fruits like citrus based on their high oxalic acid content.
Sweetness
Crested geckos could become addicts to fruits and berries packed with natural sugars. It is important to offer very sweet foods as treats and not as a regular part of your reptiles’ diet. Offering too much sweet fruits and berries could make your gecko refuse food it needs to remain healthy and develop.
Overall nutritional benefit
Fruits, berries, and veggies that don’t offer much to your crested geckos are not worth your attention. It is important to confirm how much nutrition your crested gecko stands to gain from everything it eats. Feeding your gecko ‘blindly’ could affect its health in ways you can’t imagine.
FAQs
What fruits can crested geckos eat?
- Apricot
- Banana
- Fig
- Grape
- Mango
- Strawberry
- Watermelon
Can I give my gecko a strawberry?
Crested geckos like strawberries in their meals and several reptiles will always relish berries in mashed or solid form. However, feeding your gecko too much berries could turn it into an addict and force it to reject eating.
What fruits can crested geckos not eat?
Crested geckos should not eat citrus fruits as oranges, tangerine, and other citrus fruits contain high amounts of oxalic acid. Also, your crested geckos should not eat lemons, kiwis, nectarines, grapefruits, or pineapples. Even if your gecko is drawn to some of these fruits, it’s best you avoid feeding it these kinds of fruits.
What is toxic to crested geckos?
Foods toxic to geckos
- Avocados
- Cedar shavings
- Cleaning products
- Oxalic acid
- Phenols
- Pine bedding
- Pine-scented cleaners
- Toxic substances to crested geckos
Final Thoughts: Can Crested Geckos Eat Strawberries?
Can crested geckos eat strawberries? Yes, they can. But you shouldn’t offer too much strawberry to your crested gecko.
Crested geckos need a complete combo of insect proteins, veggies, and fruits to develop at all stages. Several owners of crested geckos want correct nutrition for their reptile at all times. However, new handlers of pet crested geckos may be tempted to offer anything to their reptile. And for strawberry-loving owners, it’s only natural to ask – can crested geckos eat strawberries?
Through the info in this post, you know what works for your reptile. Maxing out your reptile’s treats while keeping them from addiction can’t be any easier.
